The Mavelikara diocese belongs to the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. The eparchy of Mavelikara comprises the civil districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts in Kerala State. The Eparchy of Mavelikara consists of the Presbyteral Districts of Mavelikara, Kollam, some parts of Chengannur and Adoor of Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum and its boundaries are the boundary of the civil districts of Alapzha south of River Pampa and the boundaries of the parishes of the presbyteral district of Kollam in the civil district of Kollam and the boundaries of the parishes on the western part of the Main Central Road in the civil district of Pathanamthitta.

The diocesan headquarters is at Punnamoodu, near Mavelikkara. Mavelikara is a semi urban township and 94 kilometers north east of Thiruvannathapuram.

Language

Malayalam, Tamil and English are in use in the territory.

History

Mavelikara, the sixth Eparchy of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and the first Eparchy constituted by the Major Archbishop, through the Decree of Major archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios Catholicos on Jan. 1, 2007 and was inaugurated on Feb. 16, 2007. He appointed Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios as the first Metropolitan of the new Eparchy. He was enthroned on Feb. 16, 2007 at Punnamoodu.

Transportation

The territory is well connected with roads and rail. The nearest airport, Thiruvananthapuram is about 94 kilometers away from the headquarters.

Climate

Mavelikara diocese territory has a warm climate and an average humidity 85 percent. The rainy season (South West Monsoon) begins in June and lasts up to September. The North West Monsoon brings light rainfall in October-December. The average annual rainfall is about 229 cm. The maximum temperature is maximum 35 degrees Celsius.

Economy

The economy of Mavelikara diocese is mainly based on agriculture and small scale industries. Industries like ALIND Switchgear (near Mannar), Travancore Oxygen, Sangrose Laboratories which specializes in the manufacture of soft-gelatin capsules. It is also one of the only Companies in the world to manufacture clofazimine and Kerala Wood Industries is a local splints and veneers manufacturing company also are based in Mavelikara

Religion

Mavelikara was once part of the principality of Onattukara and has been a centre of religious harmony, culture and arts for several centuries. As a testament to its link to that flourishing center of Buddhist culture, Mavelikara is one of the rare places in Kerala where one can find The Statue of Buddha in Seated Position, which is dating back to the 9th Century AD. Mavelikara has produced eminent individuals and the current line of the Royal Travancore Family hails from the Mavelikara Royal Family. Hindus are the majority in the area.